15 Cozy Vegan Recipes That Make Batch Cooking Your Meals a Breeze

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Batch cooking is when you dedicate a larger amount of time than you normally would on any given night to make food for your entire week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, or dinners — but it can be applied to potlucks or other events where you might not have the time to make the food the day of. There are a few reasons why you might want to consider trying batch cooking your meals. The first is that it saves time — yes, during the initial cooking, you might spend more time in the kitchen than you’re used to, but after that, you’ll have ready-made meals throughout the week that you only need to heat up.

It’s also helpful if you’re trying to eat more plant-based foods or adhering to a certain diet. If your meal is ready, you’ll be less tempted to eat something you’re trying to avoid out of convenience. Plus, if you’re on a budget, it saves money! If you plan your grocery list according to your planned meals, then you’ll have more of a focus when you actually set foot in the grocery store.

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Fill your kitchen with the scent of warm, cozy meals using these recipes that can easily be made into batches thanks to the Food Monster App.

1. Baked Penne With Spicy Rose Sauce

Karielyn Tillman‘s Baked Penne With Spicy Rose Sauce is the perfect pasta dish if you like a little spice. It’s a pretty versatile meal and if you make it in bulk, it can be changed up very easily just by using different sauces and toppings. This version has lots of fresh vegetables, a creamy sauce, and minimally processed ingredients. The sauce is a little spicy, which you can adjust to your preference, and can be made in a matter of minutes with a blender.

2. Spicy Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Gratin

Cauliflower is roasted in a rich and spicy butternut squash sauce. As Maya Sozer‘s Spicy Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Gratin bakes in the oven, the cauliflower absorbs the flavors and takes on a golden yellow color. Making this gratin won’t require spending your entire day in the kitchen, but the results will taste like you did. If you’re bringing this to a potluck, garnish it with sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped herbs, for presentation and flavor.

3. Black Bean Balls Manchurian in a Savory Gravy Sauce

Gunjan Dudani‘s recipe for Black Bean Balls Manchurian calls for a mixture of lightly seasoned black beans, carrot, and crunchy cabbage. They’re served in a savory sauce that’s made by sautéing a mixture of fresh and flavor vegetables with ginger, garlic, and freshly ground black pepper to uplift the flavor. This simple dish is perfect for families, where it’s sure to be a hit with everyone, especially when served with a side of fresh brown rice or on top of pasta.

4. Curried Pumpkin and Chickpea Burgers

When it comes to burgers, it’s all about the spice. Made from yellow pumpkin, earthy chickpeas and a mixture of warming spices, Ella Suihko‘s Curried Pumpkin and Chickpea Burgers are the perfect combo for your barbecue, a game night dinner, or just for that cozy get-together with your friends. Try them with different toppings like greens, pickles, tomatoes, and your favorite sauce, or freeze them for later use.

5. Brown Rice Casserole

Molly Patrick‘s savory Brown Rice Casserole will definitely be a winner in your weeknight recipe rotation — and it can be frozen! Hearty seasoned brown rice is baked with broccoli and other veggies to create a dish that’s flavorful, filling, and easy to make.

6. Hearty Potato and Mushroom Stew

If you work a busy week, sometimes you just need something you can heat up, like this Hearty Potato and Mushroom Stew by Gin Butters. This thick stew is already delicious with just potatoes, but the mushrooms and bell peppers put it over the top. Pair this creamy bowl of goodness with your favorite bread, and enjoy comfort food at its finest.

7. Savory Vegetable Hand Pies

Now, who can say no to pies? Definitely not to these delicious, Savory Vegetable Hand Pies with a mildly spiced filling of carrots, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, onions, jalapeños, and tomatoes. What’s more – Tina Dawson‘s recipe serves just two, but you can make big batches and freeze them! These hand pies are quite filling, so consider these a quick, easy and delicious meal for two or a dinner for days.

8. Goulash

Attila Hildmann‘s Goulash is a hearty stew whose origins date back to Medieval Hungary. Typically made from meat, noodles, and a spicy broth, this version uses textured vegetable protein. It’s stewed in a broth of onions, peppers, and a lot of spices for a robust flavor. Plus, this dish was made to be stretched! Serve it with rice, grains, or other leftover veggies to make it last through the week.

9. Country ‘Meatloaf’ With Gravy

Katie Koteen‘s Country “Meatloaf” With Gravy is a wonderful recipe for feeding yourself throughout the week. Hearty and savory, it’s made from tempeh and rice, so it’s filling, plus it has veggies like carrots and celery. If you don’t want to serve it with gravy, it would also be fantastic topped with some sautéed mushrooms.

10. Lentil and Mushroom Ragu

Sauce are always good for freezing and batch cooking, like Faith VanderMolen‘s Lentil and Mushroom Ragu. In this recipe, lentils and mushrooms transform a basic tomato sauce into a sauce that’s hearty and filling. This rich sauce tastes amazing on and kind of pasta, or rice noodles.

11. Mac and Cheese Casserole

Shea Cope‘s Mac and Cheese Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner. Pasta elbows and broccoli florets are tossed with a cheesy sauce, topped with buttery bread croutons, and then baked into possibly the most comforting casserole ever. Make a big batch for a week’s worth of yummy dinners.

In Rinku Bhattacharya‘s Indian-style Tofu in Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Curry, tomatoes, and red peppers come together to make a beautifully bright and bold sauce. It is then given a spike of spice with cayenne and mellowed out with a bit of coconut cream. The cubed tofu is simmered in this sauce for about 10 minutes and voila, you have a dish that is elegant, flavorful, and healthy. Serve with rice and bread to make it last!

13. Chickpea Ranch Wraps

Need something simple? These Chickpea Ranch Wraps by the Cruelty Free Family are an energizing version of the popular chicken ranch wrap. This recipe, instead, uses protein-rich chickpeas, nutty tahini, fresh dill, and some carrots and celery to get the same creamy effect. It’s the perfect portable dish whose filling can easily be made for an entire week — just make the filling ahead of time and assemble right before you eat!

14. Tempeh Reuben

Molly Patrick‘s Tempeh Reuben has all the flavors of the original sandwich — plus, it’s oil-free, including the dressing. Tempeh is marinated in a combination of apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, a drizzle of maple syrup, and liquid smoke – if you want it smoky. The creamy, tangy French dressing is made by blending cashews with tomato paste, relish, and onions. Serve on toasted rye bread and enjoy each and every tangy, savory bite of this awesome sandwich. It keeps well, so it’s easy to make enough to last you the entire week.